Summer TV Roundup, Week 11


The summer is near its conclusion, and the flow of new shows has slowed to a trickle. In these weekly posts I review the new shows of summer. I review the pilot and second episode. If you don't see a new show below, please check previous weeks. As a disclaimer, given the incredible multitude of summer reality shows, I'm sticking to scripted series for the balance of summer (and likely the fall).

Wednesday Nights:
The Jim Gaffigan Show, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TV Land (Premiered July 15)
About: I love Jim Gaffigan as a comedian. He's got a great perspective on the world and is one of the few comedians who offers a clean routine. It happens to be mostly about food. "The Jim Gaffigan Show" was originally developed for CBS, but they passed. TV Land picked it up, and it feels like a good fit with their simple brand of comedy. The show was developed by Gaffigan and his wife, Jeannie, and is based on their life. He's playing a version of himself, and it works. A lot of what makes his stand up funny is in there, and it feels like a somewhat family-friendly show, too, which is rare for this day and age. It's not incredible, but it's solid entertainment — especially during the dog days of summer.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Impastor, Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on TV Land (Premiered July 15)
About: This is the other new sitcom on TV Land. It's about a man, Buddy (Michael Rosenbaum), who is given a chance to start again after his would-be savior falls off a bridge he was meaning to jump from. Soon he learns the life he's taken over is that of a recently out-of-the-closet pastor. There is plenty of potential for humor in that premise. In fact, I kind of feel like this could make for a hilarious movie. But in terms of being a long-term series, I don't know if it works. I thought the pilot was mildly amusing -- and mildly offensive at times. The second episode was more of the same. It was OK, but hardly compelling.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Thursday Nights:
Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, Thursdays at 10 p.m. on FX (Premiered July 16)
About: This is the latest comedy from Dennis Leary, and it's about an aging rocker -- Johnny Rock -- who meets the daughter he never knew he had. She gets his band back together so he can help her launch a career in music. It sounds like an interesting enough set up, but I thought the pilot was dull. The second episode was even worse, spending all its time on whether or not Rock needs drugs and alcohol to be effective as a song writer. The conclusion was he does, but that, too, could have been part of his act. All that's forgiveable if the characters are interesting and the show is funny. That's not the case here. This was a complete snooze fest.
Pilot Grade: D+
Second Episode: D

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